MovieChat Forums > Escape from L.A. (1996) Discussion > What's really so bad about this movie?

What's really so bad about this movie?

posted 14 years ago by jackson-219
30 replies | jump to latest

I know it bombed at the box office but I really enjoyed this film when I saw it at a discount theater in 96'. People were just overly hard on this film for reasons beyond my understanding. It moves fast, Carpenter does have all his trademark zany characters, wide screen shots, action packed, and a goofy tone. Yeah, it's not dark like the original and more in tone with films like Big Trouble in little China but it still is a lot of fun. The only scene I hate is the basketball scene. They could have left that one out but other than that I liked the film. Some people complain about the villain, was Isaac Hayes really any better? The villains in both movies are silly and cheesy, which is what I think Carpenter goes for in his films.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] DrWhen 14 years ago

The writing was just so DUMB I couldn't take it. It was like a parody of a satire.

[–] darkstorm97 14 years ago

I like it. It's a fun film that's not to be taken too seriously. And you gotta love the Bruce Campbell cameo. Good stuff. If this ever runs in my local discount theater (they've taken my requests for cult movies before) I'll be sure and catch it.

Come with me if you want to live.

[–] duelistletterizer 14 years ago

what was wrong three words Sword of Damocles(ie the item that is the central part of the plot of the movie) the weapon that could and does "shuts down" the power when all it was was a F-ing EMP Bomb, witch BTW isn't permanent and can be blocked, knowing this now makes me(so you know i was 13 when this came out im almost 28 now)think the reason for snake to be in LA was UTTERLY POINTLESS

[–] Fresno37 13 years ago

I really wanted to like it, it could have been a great film. I can be very forgiving when it comes to John Carpenter but my biggest problem was Cuervo Jones. Just not any where close the amazing Isaac Hayes. You really need a bad guy who could be a real problem to the hero & Jones wasn't it, now the duke of New York he was A number 1!

Four Fried Chickens......& a Coke?

[–] darkstorm97 13 years ago

I'll agree with that. Cuervo was kind of a weak villian. Honestly, I liked MttS Eddie as a smarmy bad guy. Moreso than Cuervo. Hell, the President was more of a villian than Cuervo.

Come with me if you want to live.

[–] boo_themighty 11 years ago

You know Cuervo wasn't supposed to be a villain, just an obstacle that were in Snake's way, the villain was the president.

[–] a_l_i_e_n 13 years ago

Not outright bad, just not as great as it could've been. I was looking for a new story, not something that almost slavishly followed EFNY's blue print right down to the bio-time bomb that will kill Snake if he doesn't make it out in time. I absolutely groaned when they did that! However, it is mostly successful as a satire with Snake getting the biggest laughs just displaying his attitude towards those around him. And while I thought Coraface was okay as Cuervo Jones, I kept thinking how much more bad ass Jimmy Smitts woulda been in that role.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] a_l_i_e_n 13 years ago

I wouldn't wanna change a thing about this movie. Pure perfection to me. So So So very underrated.

Better than the first one, or just as good?

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] jordan-r-h 13 years ago

I myself like it more than the first one. I LOVE the first one, but there's something about the fun of this one that makes me love it more than the original.

I love most of Carpenter's films. The only ones I have ever had problems with are "Ghosts of Mars" and "The Ward", the prior because it seems to be lacking in that good old Carpenter charm... and the latter because despite Carpenter's best efforts, the script sucks beyond belief.

I'm not entirely sure why Carpenter gets such a bad break when plenty of other directors descended to shlt long before him (Wes Craven, anyone?) and didn't even give out fun *beep* at that.

But yeah, love this movie. Has one of my all time favourite film endings, too.

[–] chasing_dogmas 13 years ago

I didn't know people hated this movie. I saw it ages ago and loved it straight away as a kid. It's not like this film takes itself seriously so I don't get how somebody could dislike it so much. Does it at least have a cult following?

I haven't seen the first one so maybe that's why I've got nothing against this film as I had no expectations. I'd imagine the first one is more serious in tone however - like this film might be as Batman & Robin was to Batman Forever. *shrugs

[–] Prismark10 13 years ago

Escape from NY was a cult hit and expectations were high for this one. As with many other sequels to cult hits, this was a dog of a film.

Its that man again!!

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] darkstorm97 13 years ago

"...the more things change, the more they stay the same."

Come with me if you want to live.

[–] chasing_dogmas 13 years ago

How could you not like the basketball scene if you appreciate the rest of the film? That's my favourite part of the movie!

[–] darkstorm97 13 years ago

Sorry, I didn't really care for the basketball scene either.

Come with me if you want to live.

[–] Zim2 13 years ago

The basketball scene is not my fav part, but it is impressive since Kurt Russell actually did make that shot for real, with no cgi trickery.

[–] resdogdm 9 years ago

I like the basketball scene a lot, yet it still makes me cringe to watch it. I watched the making of, and was impressed with how Kurt made all of those shots without cgi. But the way Carpenter filmed that last shot totally looks cgi. It kinda ruins it for me.

[–] Treeman222 13 years ago

"Yeah, it's not dark like the original"

Number one reason why I just can't warm to this movie. Completely has the wrong tone. I'm able to enjoy it somewhat now as a parody of LA, but it just doesn't fit with the original and was a huge disappointment for me in '96.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Treeman222 13 years ago

We've been though this before I think, Ivory.

[–] 13 years ago

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